From the Guidelines
For a 17-year-old, the recommended HPV vaccine series is 3 doses, as they have initiated vaccination after their 15th birthday. According to the American Cancer Society guidelines 1, individuals who start the vaccination series at age 15 through 26 years should receive 3 doses of the HPV vaccine. The second dose should be administered 1-2 months after the first dose, and the third dose should be given 6 months after the first dose. This 3-dose schedule is recommended because the immune response tends to be less robust in older adolescents and young adults. The HPV vaccine (Gardasil 9) protects against HPV types that cause most cervical, anal, and other genital cancers, as well as genital warts. It's essential to complete the full series for maximum protection. Some key points to consider:
- The vaccination series can be started as early as age 9 years, but the recommended schedule varies depending on the age of initiation 1.
- For persons initiating vaccination before their 15th birthday, the recommended immunization schedule is 2 doses of HPV vaccine, with the second dose administered 6-12 months after the first dose 1.
- Late vaccination for those not vaccinated at the recommended ages should be completed as soon as possible, and the 3-dose series is recommended for those who initiate vaccination at age 15 or older 1.
From the Research
HPV Vaccination Doses for 17-Year-Olds
- The current recommendation for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in the United States is for 3 doses to be administered over a 6-month period 2.
- However, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended adoption of a 2-dose schedule, with doses spaced a minimum of 6 months apart, for teens who begin the series before age 15 2.
- For teens who start the vaccination series at age 17, the recommended number of doses is not explicitly stated as being different from the standard 3-dose schedule in the provided evidence.
- The effectiveness of the HPV vaccine is highest when administered at younger ages, with vaccine effectiveness estimates ranging from approximately 74% to 93% for younger adolescents ages 9-14 years, and from 12% to 90% for adolescents ages 15-18 years 3.
- A study on quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine effectiveness found that vaccination effectiveness was 76% among those who received three doses of the vaccine with their first dose before age 20 years, and highest in girls vaccinated before age 14 years (effectiveness = 93%) 4.
Vaccination Schedule
- The WHO position paper on HPV vaccines provides guidance on the choice of vaccine and vaccination strategies, but does not specify a different number of doses for 17-year-olds 5.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health organizations should be consulted for the most up-to-date recommendations on HPV vaccination schedules 2, 6.